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Betsy Markey, former congresswoman, running for Colorado treasurer

Former congresswoman Betsy Markey answers questions after announcing her candidacy for state treasurer at the State Capitol on June 24, 2013. (Grant Hindsley, The Denver Post)

Patrick Quinn, mayor of Broomfield, announced on June 24, 2013, he is running for the Democratic nomination for state treasurer. (The Denver Post)

A former congresswoman and a suburban mayor announced Monday they are seeking the Democratic nomination for state treasurer in hopes of unseating Republican Walker Stapleton in 2014.

Betsy Markey, who represented the 4th Congressional District for one term, stood on the west steps of the state Capitol with a group of Democrats, including former state treasurers Cary Kennedy and Gail Schoettler.

"Colorado is a dynamic state on the cutting edge of innovation, and the treasurer's office should be no different," Markey said.

She touted her experience as a businesswoman in Fort Collins before going to Washington first as a congresswoman and then as a deputy for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Broomfield Mayor Pat Quinnannounced his candidacy in a news release that took some Democrats by surprise, including former Adams County District Attorney Don Quick, who showed up to support Markey.

Quick, who is running for attorney general, said that when the mayor talked to him about the race, Quick suggested they get a cup of coffee and talk. That didn't happen, Quick said.

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"I plan to have coffee with Don because I'm big supporter of his," Quinn said, adding that he talked with plenty of Democrats who knew he was planning to run.

Quinn, whose third term as mayor ends in November, touted his background as a certified public accountant who worked with businesses large and small that created and maintained jobs. He said he first got involved in public service in 1981 during an open space issue in Boulder County.

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He stressed that his was going to be a "grassroots campaign" and he was going to "reach out to the people of Colorado because I went them to decide."

The Colorado Republican Party reacted to Markey's and Quinn's candidacies with a blistering news release: "Two radical Democrats jump into race."

"Regardless of who wins the primary, any Democrat is going to have a tough time taking on Treasurer Stapleton, who has a strong record of fighting for the people of Colorado," said Ryan Call, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party.

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